This is the 3rd of 15 Steeler mocks. I will do one every Thursday leading up to the draft. So far I haven't picked the same player in any of the mocks. I did so because I feel the Steelers can go in many directions for the draft. As we get closer I will be able to better gauge whom the Steelers are likely to pick. These players and the ones in my previous mocks are just some of the players I like and feel could really help the Steelers going forward.

17. Manti Te'o, ILB (Notre Dame)
6'2" 255lbs. 4.75
Te'o is catching a lot of flack because of the whole fake girlfriend scandal. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Steelers. The Steelers could fill their biggest need in the first round with the best ILB in the draft.

48. Eric Reid, FS (LSU)
6'2" 212lbs. 4.59
There are rumors the Steelers will release Ryan Clark, making a big hole in the secondary. Reid would be a great replacement, the Steelers will probably bring in a veteran to give him some competition.

79. Jonathan Franklin, RB (UCLA)
5'10" 201lbs. 4.50
It seems that the coaches and front office aren't happy with the stable of RBs and we could see a huge overall in the backfield. Franklin isn't the best prospect, but with filling 2 big needs in the 1st and 2nd, the Steelers take the best RB available in the 3rd.

112. Zaviar Gooden, OLB (Missouri)
6'2" 233lbs. 4.49
IMO Harrison has played his final game in a Steelers uniform. Worilds will take over for Harrison and Gooden can be groomed along with Chris Carter behind Worilds and Woodley.

143. Ricky Wagner, OT (Wisconsin)
6'6" 310lbs. 5.32
I've also heard that the Steelers will probably let Starks and Foster walk and release Colon. Letting those 3 walk will force the Steelers to select some olinemen for backup purposes.

176. Denard Robinson, WR (Michigan)
5'11" 196lbs. 4.39
The Steelers like having players that are very versatile. Robinson was a quarterback and also played running back and wide receiver at Michigan. Robinson reminds me a lot of a faster Randle El

The only pick I moderately like is Franklin. Just not a fan of the other players._________________
"You build with draft choices. You find people with talents adaptable to your plans and then you teach them to do things the way we do them." - Chuck Noll

I'm not sure about who I wan in the draft, but i know I DON'T want Te'o.
I dont have a problem with Reed but I think I would prefer Rambo from Georgia more.
Also, if we are going to draft a WR we need on who is not as raw as Robinson. I'm not against taking him but we would need a more polished WR who can step right away. Robinson is a big time project. We dont have the depth for just him_________________

Love ILB Te'o in the 1st. He's about the only guy I would stay at #17 for. I think all the girlfriend stuff is overblown, so what he got fooled hoping a gorgeous girl was for real. He's only 21 years old, people act like they were smarter than him at that age.

Love S Reid in the 2nd.

Not a fan of the small RB's this draft and I think taking Franklin in the 3rd is about a round too high.

Like LB Zaviar Gooden in the 4th but he's small and would be an ILB for us not the pass rushing OLB that we need to replace Harrison. He only had 4 sacks in four years and none in '12.

Love OT Ricky Wagner in the 5th but I think he goes higher than this.
Okay with the last two picks.

Like the mock but have a questions, D. Robinson was known for his running ability at Michigan, so why on earth would you force the guy to play WR instead of RB? Hes nothing like Randle EL.

Because he is a stick and will break easily in the NFL if he gets in among the big boys on the line._________________
"You build with draft choices. You find people with talents adaptable to your plans and then you teach them to do things the way we do them." - Chuck Noll

Love ILB Te'o in the 1st. He's about the only guy I would stay at #17 for. I think all the girlfriend stuff is overblown,so what he got fooled hoping a gorgeous girl was for real. He's only 21 years old, people act like they were smarter than him at that age.

IMO it's got nothing to do with what he did at all. It has to do with how overblown the story got!!! Kinda like when Tebow stubbed his toe it was front page news. Now I am not saying the media will be all over Teo' like it was Tebow but it worries me a little how big this ridiculous story got._________________Stay low boys.... keep those feet moving!

I don't see the whole Te'o thing being a big deal in Pittsburgh. It's not like Pittsburgh is a huge media market. Like any story it would be talked about for a few days, but after that it wouldn't be an issue. Putting someone with Te'o's skill set next to Timmons, would be scary for any offense.

Dernard Robinson will be a receiver in the NFL. Much like Randle El, Brad Smith, and Joshua Cribbs just to name a few. He didn't play WR in college, but I think he can transition to a receiver fairly easy. He would also add a lot with trick plays and some of the other new hot formations (wildcat or read option).

Also even if Wallace signs elsewhere, receiver isn't as big of a need as many would think. Sure Wallace would create a big hole on the Steelers depth chart. However I think with AB and Manny, along with Cotchery the Steelers have a respectable top 3. I also think they will bring in a veteran if Wallace leaves, maybe Burress or some other cost effective receiver to serve as the 4th or 5th receiver._________________Welcome to Pittsburgh

Dernard Robinson has Philadelphia Eagles written all over him. I will not be surprised if Kelly grabs him in the 3rd._________________
"You build with draft choices. You find people with talents adaptable to your plans and then you teach them to do things the way we do them." - Chuck Noll

1BackInBlackFanJoined: 29 Mar 2010Posts: 7810Location: March of the Penguins, PA

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:19 pm Post subject:

Dook wrote:

Love ILB Te'o in the 1st. He's about the only guy I would stay at #17 for. I think all the girlfriend stuff is overblown, so what he got fooled hoping a gorgeous girl was for real. He's only 21 years old, people act like they were smarter than him at that age.

Love S Reid in the 2nd.

Not a fan of the small RB's this draft and I think taking Franklin in the 3rd is about a round too high.

Like LB Zaviar Gooden in the 4th but he's small and would be an ILB for us not the pass rushing OLB that we need to replace Harrison. He only had 4 sacks in four years and none in '12.

Love OT Ricky Wagner in the 5th but I think he goes higher than this.
Okay with the last two picks.

This is pretty much I feel as well.

I don't feel Franklin can be a starter. He's more of a change of pace back and if the Steelers go with a RB I rather have it be a workhorse type of guy. Robinson is okay for where he is picked but I like to see them get that taller, bigger WR than another guy with the same size as the other WRs on the team. Don't know too much about Gooden but he does seem like he is more of an ILB.

I like the first two picks and Wagner would be nice value if he is there in that round.

I don't see the whole Te'o thing being a big deal in Pittsburgh. It's not like Pittsburgh is a huge media market. Like any story it would be talked about for a few days, but after that it wouldn't be an issue. Putting someone with Te'o's skill set next to Timmons, would be scary for any offense.

Dernard Robinson will be a receiver in the NFL. Much like Randle El, Brad Smith, and Joshua Cribbs just to name a few. He didn't play WR in college, but I think he can transition to a receiver fairly easy. He would also add a lot with trick plays and some of the other new hot formations (wildcat or read option).

Also even if Wallace signs elsewhere, receiver isn't as big of a need as many would think. Sure Wallace would create a big hole on the Steelers depth chart. However I think with AB and Manny, along with Cotchery the Steelers have a respectable top 3. I also think they will bring in a veteran if Wallace leaves, maybe Burress or some other cost effective receiver to serve as the 4th or 5th receiver.

I'm not overly concerned with the media coverage. my worry would be how it would play in the locker room. Will it just be a joke for a few days? or will it be on ongoing thing where the rest of the team thinks less of him? As for the draft It's okay I like Swearinger. Love his potential as a guy who can cover slot guys. Franklin looks solid. I haven't heard much about Gooden but I saw a draft that had him going in the 1st round. What do you guys think about him?